LEXINGTON, Ky. | Jackson State will face its second opponent from the SEC this week when it tips off against No. 9/11 Kentucky at Rupp Arena on Friday on the SEC Network+.

The game will be the second against a top-10 opponent this season for Jackson State (0-5) who is in the midst of a four-game, 10-day road trip. The Tigers faced then-No. 4 Houston to open the season, and also have a game at No. 5 Iowa State scheduled for next weekend. The meeting will be the first between the two schools as Kentucky (4-0) moved up in the polls following its win over Duke.

The Tigers enter the game after falling 79-62 on the road against WKU, a game that a pair of freshmen Tamarion Hoover and Dorian McMillian combined for 34 points, with Hoover recording a career-high 18 and McMillian a career-high 16 in the loss. The two combined to hit 13-of-23 from the floor and six three-pointers.

Jayme Mitchell Jr. leads Jackson State in scoring after putting up double digits in three of the first four games this season, averaging 13.8 points per game, while McMillian is averaging 9.6 points per game and Romelle Mansel is averaging 9.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. The Tigers are shooting 35.8 (103-of-288) percent from the floor and 29.0 (31-of-107) percent from beyond the arc to open the season. They are also shooting 71.8 (74-of-103) percent from the free throw line.

Game Info - Jackson State at Kentucky
Friday, Nov. 22 | 7 p.m. (ET) | Rupp Gymnasium
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Game Notes

• Mitchell was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Impact Player of the Week after his performances last week. He currently leads Jackson State in scoring after putting up double digits in three consecutive games, averaging 15.0 points per game, while shooting 41.9 (18-of-43) percent from the floor and 44.4 (12-of-27) percent from beyond the arc. He is shooting 80.0 (12-of-15) percent while averaging 3.8 rebounds per game. Mitchell scored 18 points in a loss to High Point with four three-pointers, before scoring a season-high 26 points in 34 minutes against Xavier with five three-pointers while also finishing perfect from the free throw line (seven). In his last game, Mitchell added 15 points in a loss on the road to Vanderbilt.
• Jackson State has the only McDonald's All-American in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) this year in Daeshun Ruffin. The transfer has not played yet this season but is the only McDonald's All-American to ever sign with a SWAC school. And wouldn't you know it, he is also coached by a former McDonald's All-American in Mo Williams. Not to mention, they are both from Jackson.
• Juan Reyna III, a transfer this season, is listed on the Mexican National Team roster (FIBA).
• Williams is one of 19 head coaches at the NCAA DI level that played in the NBA. That list includes: Speedy Claxton [Hofstra]; Steve Alford [Nevada]; Hubert Davis [North Carolina]; Johnny Dawkins [UCF]; Bryce Drew  [Grand Canyon]; Kim English [Providence]; Penny Hardaway {Memphis]; Fred Hoiberg [Nebraska]; Bobby Hurley [Arizona State]; Mark Madsen [California]; Cuonzo Martin [Missouri State]; Mark Pope [Kentucky]; Roger Powell Jr.; [Valparaiso]; Damon Stoudamire [Georgia Tech]; Rod Strickland [Long Island]; Reggie Theus [Bethune-Cookman]; Darrell Walker [Little Rock]; Mo Williams [Jackson State]; and Mike Woodson [Indiana]. He is also one of four who have won an NBA Championship including Claxton [2003 Spurs]; Madsen [2001 and 2002 Lakers]; Walker [1993 Bulls]; and Williams [2016 Cavs].

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